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.5 



MASSxVCHUSETTS SOCIETY 



OF THE 



SONS OF THE REVOLUTION. 



To Whom it may Concehn: 

Ou the 30th of March a few gentlemen met at the State House by invitation of W. O. McDowell, Esq., 
of Xcwark, New Jersey, who represented the Society of the -^ Sous of the Revolution " of that State. He elo- 
quently told us of the objects of the organization, of its growth in his own and other States, and so impressed were 
we with the importance of organizing such a society in the Commonwealth whieh holds Lexington, Concord, and 
Bunker Plill, that a committee was appointed to arrange for a general meeting of the descendants of "heroes of 
the Kevolution." Such a meeting was held in Trcmont Temple, April 19. The attendance was large beyond 
expectation, and the meeting enthusiastic. There were present nineteen own sons of Revolutionary sires, grand- 
sous, great-grandsons, great-great-grandsons, and a few lady descendants. The plan of organization, with Consti- 
tution and By-Laws, as proposed by a committee, was unanimously adopted, and officers elected, as given below, to 
serve until the annual meeting, June 17. The fee for membership was fixed at SI. 00, and for annual dues at m.OO. 
Other matters necessary in completing the organization were referred to the Board of Managers. 

The Board of Managers met at the Quincy House, April 24. Among the important items of business 
transacted at this meeting were these, viz., Rev. Heury S. Huntington, of Dorchester, was elected chaplain, L. L. 
Tarbell of Marlboro, registrar, and John M. Gushing of Duxbnry, director, to fill a vacancy. It was also voted to 
hold a celebration in connection with the annual meeting, June 17, with addresses and dinner, the expense to be 
borne by the treasury. Also to instruct the registrar to advertise, to the end that all descendants of Revolutionary 
sires, however remote their connection, be made acquainted with their privilege of joining the Society; also to 
procure a suitable diploma, to be given to each member, etc., etc. 

I have thus concisely given the steps which have led up tu the issuing of this circular, which is done 
for the information of all into whose han.ls it may fall. And now I urgently request that every reader of this 
will send me the address of sons, grandsons, great-grandsons, great-great-grandsons, and great-great-^reat-^rand- 
sous, and there are many of these classes, especially of the second and third class in every man's circle of acquaint- 
ances, that I may correspond with them at once. All such persons should have the opportunity of becoming 
members of the Society prior to the celebration in June. It will readily be seen that no sinister motive prompti 
the above request, or inspires the exhortation to join us. To succinctly show the objects of the organization I 
quote from the Constitution, which accords with those of other States, as follows: — 

ARTICLE III. 
The purpose of the Society is to keep aUve among ourselves and cm- descondauts the patriotic spirit of the 
men who, m military, naval, or civil service, by their acts or counsel, achieved American Independence; to collect and 
secure for preservation the manuscript rolls, records, and other documents relating to tlie War of the Revohition- and to 
promote social intercourse and good feeling among its meniljcrs now and liereafter. 

.4RTICLE [V. 
Any person shall be eligible for membership in the Society who is above the ase of tweutv-one ("1) vears -i 
resident of Massachusetts, and who is descended from an ancestor who, either as a militarv or naval otHcer, soldier sailor 
or as an official or recognized subordinate in the service of any one of the thirteen original Colonies or States, or'of the 
National Government representing^ or composed of those Colonies or States, assisted in establishing American Independ- 
ence during the War of the ]{evohUion, or the descendant of such a Massachusetts ancestor. witl,o„t re-avd to present 
residence ; and no pers.m other than such shall be eliijible to membership in the Society ~ ' 



ARTICLE V 






The officers of the Society shall be a President, a Vice-Pre-iideut, a Secretary, a Treasurer, a Eegistrar, a 
llistoriuu, a Delegate-at-Large, aud a Delegate to the National Society for each 100 or fraction of 100 exceeding 50 mem- 
bers, provided that each Society shall be entitled to at least one Delegate-at-Large and one Delegate, aud a Board of Man- 
agers, consisting of those officers ex-offido, and fifteen other members. The President, Vice-President, and the members 
■of the Board of Management shall be ineligible for re-election as their own successors. 

To still further emphasize the importance and illustrate the objects of this Society, I quote from au elo- 
quent address of J. C. Pumpelly, a distinguished member of the New Jersey Society: — 

" In this, the Centennial year of the formation of our government, this movement seems especially wise and 
appropriate, and from this day forth we shall make it our aim to collect aud receive for preservation the genealogical 
record of every one who joins our ranks, manuscript rolls, and other documents relating to the War of the Revolution, and 
to inspire as far as we can in tlie l)reasts of our people the patriotic spirit which animated the souls of our forefathers. 

" Whether a Revolutionary ancestor I)ore the sword or the musket, belonged to the line, or militia, or other- 
wise aided the cause, each is equally honored. For was it not the brave minute-men. as the great commander himself said, 
who protected him aud his decimated army with their picket line? The descendants of each are eligible to our ranks. 

" Eacli old parish in our State has its heroes, and each old church was a shrine at which brave men and women 
bowed in God's fear, consecrating their all to their country. 

" Let us see to it that the memories of all are preserved inviolate. To this end let our efl'orts lie united and 
our influence inspiriting and ennobling. 

" As a Society having so worthy a cause, we. its members, must not only he de<cendauts of heroes, Init our- 
selves be worthy of the legacy those heroes have left us." 

Well-informed statisticians say that there are probably upwards of one hundred thousand male persons 
iu Massachusetts who are eligible to admission into this Society, aud in view of the large prospective membership, 
and because of the sniallness of the current expenses, the tees are made merely nominal, as given above. In 
answer to questions that I have received from numerous female descendants of Eevolutionarj' sires, I raa}^ say 
that the formation of auxiliary societies, or " Daughters of the Kevolution," or of au honorary' membership, is 
proposed, but the plans are not yet perfected. 

I enclose a blank application for membership, and shall forward one to every name I receive. These 
are to be tilled as per sample annexed, and on their return to me with membership fee of one dollar, the name will 
be enrolled and a diploma will be sent. The filled application, with all the data, will be recorded upon the permanent 
register, a page of which will be given to each member for the record of any incidents connected with his 
ancestor. I quote from By-Laws : — 

SECTION IX. 

The Registrar shall keep a roll of meml.iers, and iu whose hirnds shall ha lodged all the proofs of membership 
qualilication. and all the historical and geographical papers, manuscript or other, of which the Society may become pos- 
sessed; aud under the direction of such Board of Managers, shall keep copy of such similar documents as the owners 
thereof may not be willing to leave permanently iu the keeping of the Society. Such Registrar, if practicable, shall be an 
officer of the Massachusetts Historical Society. 

From the Registrar's books and papers, the Historian will be aided in his important work. 

KoTE. • — The Committee on Celebration and Dinner wish me to announce that a circular will be issued 
to all members about the first day of June, giving information as to time aud place of meeting, dinner, speakers, 
etc. It will gratify those who have ever heard the president of the national organization, to learn that he has 
promised to be present on the occasion. I deem it proper to say that the Committee on Celebration contemplate 
inviting one speaker from each of the Slates, aud at the National Convention of the organization in New York, 
April 30, speakers were invited, and will be duly announced. 

OFFICERS OF THE MASSACHUSETTS SOCIETY. 

Presiihut. — Hon. Ch.^kles H. Saunders Cambridge. 

Vice-President. — Hon. Willi.vh N. D-i^enpoe i . . . Marlboro. 

/iccrctari/ and Treasurer. — Cl.\I!EXCE S. Waiid Allstou. 

i?('(/iVraj-. — Luther L. T.vebell Marllioro. 

Histuriaii —A. A. Stockkr, M. D Cambridge. 

Chaplain. — Rev. Henry S. Huntington Dorchester. 



Dirrclors. 

John L. Stkven'sox, Boston. Hon. H. II. Cooi.idge, Boston. 

John G. Crawfoud. Clintou. Andkew H. Wakd, Boston. 

JosHU.v M CrsiiiNG. Duxbui'.v. Mark J. Folsom, Canibrklge. 

Geo. a. Cottisg, Hudson. Wm. Baenes, Marlboro. 

Wjt. H. Pearson. Boston. AVili.iaji B. Ci.akkic. Boston. 

Natiiax L. Revere. Worcester. Cai.vix T. Ladd, Dorchester. 

Hox. Peter Fay. ^outhboro. A. B. Frye, Boston. 

Geo. W. Browx, Lexington. 

. Requests for blank applicatious will be promptly complied with, and anj- iufonnatioii desired ou points 
not touched upon here will be answered if possible. 

To aid iu filling the blank application for membership. I give herewith a copy of one that was among 
the first handed in, chancing the names to avoid un\rarranted persoualilj', except the ancestor, whose name is his- 
torical: — 

State of Massachusetts. 

County ok Suffolk, ss. 

Boston, April 10, 1889. 

William Brown Smith, being duly sworn, says tliat he is of the age of twenty-one years and upwards, and 
resides at ; tliut he is the sou of Augustus Smith and Louisa Clark Smith; that he was the son of Harriet 

Jane Smith and Christopher Smith : that she was the daughter of Huklah Brown and William Butler; that she was the 

daughter of Col. John Brown aud ; that I claim representation as the great-great-grandson of Col. John Brown, 

of Pittsfleld, Berkshire County. He served conspicuously, and was killed at the head of his troops at Palatine, Mont- 
gomery County, N. Y., Oct. 19, 1780. 

Aud deponent further says, that he claims admission to the Society of the " Sous of the Revolution," of Massa- 
chusetts, as a great-great-grandson of Col. John Brown. 

AVILLIAM BROWX SMITH. 

Sworn to before me, this twentieth day of April, 18S9. 
[seal] Archibald Munay Howe, 

JVotarii PuhUc. 

It will interest the members of the Massachusetts Society to learn the result of the convention of dele- 
gates from State organizations which met at Fraunc's Tavern, corner of Pearl and Broad .Street, Xew York City, 
April .30, and the following excerpts from newspaper reports will briefly give the information. The reporter does 
not put it too strongly in his characterization of the convention. The spirit of the occasion, the harmony and 
patriotic devotion evinced, the national tone of all the proceedings, regardless of sectional or party distinctions or 
preferences, were, if not a surprise, a delightful experience. As an instance of the prevalence of this spirit, I may 
say that in the nominations for President of the National Society, South Carolina named Ex-Gov. Robinson, and 
Missouri named Ex-Gov. Long, but as neither had been enrolled, they were ineligible. 

I quote from report: — 

" The meeting was one of the most notable and significant gatherings that New York will witness on this 
centennial week. The assemljling of distinguished men from the several States, to organize a purely patriotic society, 
unmixed with political or religious dogmas as such, and without antagonizing such even by inference, was of itself 
strikingly impressive ; but a conventiou of such men held ou the one hundredth anniversary of Washington's inaugura. 
tiou, in the very room where, just before that event, he bade farewell to his officers, was an event of sublime 
interest." " Rev. Timothy Dvvight, D. D., LL. D., of Yale College, Conn., oft'ered a fervent prayer at the opening, the 
entire company bowing their heads in solemn reverence." " W. 0. McDowell, of New Jersey, was elected temporary 
chairman, and Lieut J. C. Cresap, of Maryland, temporary secretary." "On assuming the chair, Mr. McDowell made 
an eloquent address, which gave the key-note to the convention, and was heartily applauded." I give brief extracts 
from it : — 

"Over one hundred years ago, within these sacred walls, occurred a scene the like of which the world has never 
seen. Seven years of war, amid hardships untold, of discouragements without number, had been brought to a successful 
close. 

"The last spot in this country occupied by the enemy liad been evacuated. . . . That Washington had added to 
his other laurels that magnificent conrpiest over self in refusing a proffered crown, had lieconie a part of history. 
Together for the last time as commander and commanded, the moment for farewell had come. With bowed heads, with 
hearts full of sadness, but at the same time cheered with the knowledge that the cause had been won, they listened to 
these words, as they fell from the lips of their loved connnander; ' With a heart full of love and gratitude, I now take 



Ill III 



leave of yon, most devoutly wishing- that your latter days may be as prosperous and luippy as your t'oi 

glorious and honorable.' A few years passed. Another scene is taking place. The soldier, the "g" mV'i -rj jg" 487 4 "^ 

leader is again in this city. It is April 30, 1789, the uatal day of constitutional govermneut in Amcui^.i. xuu cil.\ is 
decked as a bride waiting for the bridegroom. Once more throughout the world, the common man lifts up his head and 
hopes again. Again the cycle is complete; a hundred years have rolled around; and the descendants of the men who 
made Washington a possibility are gathered within these sacred walls. And, in the immortal words of that second 
Washington, we miite in saying : ' Fivescore years ago, our fathers brought forth upon this continent a new nation 
conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. We, their children, have come to 
this sacred spot as worshippers to a shrine, not to consecrate, not to hallow it. The Ijrave men whose deeds we 
commemorate have consecrated it far Ijeyond our power to add or detract.' 

" It is for us, the living, rather to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they have thus far so nobly 
advanced. It is rather for us to be here consecrated to the tasks before ns, that from our honored dead we gather new 
zeal and holy inspiration to give our best energies to that cause to which they gave their last full measure of devotion. 
Let us here resolve that they shall not have fought in vain. That this nation, under God, shall to-day have a new birth of 
freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, and for the people shall not perish from the earth." 

•■ (;)n motion of a son of a Revolutionary soldier from Massachusetts, seconded by a grandson from South Car- 
olina, the organizing of a ' National Society of Sons of the American Revolution ' was unanimously agreed to. For the 
better accommodation of the convention, by invitation of the president of the New York Produce Exchange, the further 
meetings of the convention were held in that building." 

"For two day.s aiid'aTong^night session the delegates, denying themselves of the festivities outside, labored 
in shaping the organization, and in a kindly, fraternal spirit the Constitution and By-Laws were framed, and an excel- 
lent board cf otlicers elected." 

Among the pleasant and auspicious episodes of the occasion w-as the receipt of letters and telegrams 
from the President of the United States regretting his enforced absence, Ex-Presideut Hayes, Hon. Hamilton 
Fish of New York, the President of the French Piepublic nominating a descendant of Lafayette as Vice-President 
for France, and others. •• 

Officers elected arc as follows: — 

President. — Hos. Lucius P. Demixg, New Haven, Conn. 

Vice-President at Lurfje. — Wm. 0. McDowell, Newark, N. J. 

Vice-Presidents, bij States. — New York, Hamilton Fish; Pennsylvania, Gov. James A. Beaver; Indiana, 

Benjamin Harrison, President United States; South Carolina, Wade Hampton; New Hampshire, H. K. 

Slaytou; New Jersey, Gov. R. S. Greene; Massachusetts, L. L. Tarljell; Ohio, Rutherford B. Hayes; 

Alabama, G. B. West; Arkansas, Colonel Williams; Virginia, Fitz Hugh Lee; West Virginia, 

Bushrod C. Washington; Missouri, Governor Francis; Maine, C. H. Deunison ; California, Col. A. S. 

Hul)bard; Connecticut, J. C. Kinney: Kentucky, Governor Buckner; Maryland, J. G. ilorris; Vermont, 

Gov. William P. Dillingham; France, Senator de Lafayette, 72 Rue de Paris, Paris. 
Secretary. — Lieut. James C. Crcsap, Maryland. 
Assistant Secretaries. — G. L. Galloway, Greenville, South Carolina; Wilson L. Gill, Columbus, Ohio; Emery S. 

Williard, San Francisco, California; Treasurer. Gins Paddock, St. Louis, ilissonri ; Registrar, Geo. "\V. S. 

Stryker, Trenton. N. J. ; Chaplain. Rev. Timothy Dwight, D. D., LL. D.. Yale College, Conn. 

The President, Vice-President at Large, audSecretarj' were aiithorized to add Vice-Presidents for other 
States as fast as societies are organized in other States. April 30 was designated as the date for the annual meet- 
ings of the National Society, and it was tacitly agreed that the annual meeting for 1890 shall be held in Louisville , 
Ky., 1.S91 in Boston, and in 1892 in New York, subject to action of the Board of Managers. 

Thus the "National Society of the Sons of the devolution" was launclied, and under the most prom- 
ising auspices enters upon a career of boundless possibilities of blessing for our country. Let Massachusetts keep 
abreast with her sister States in that patriotism, zeal, and devotion which her hallowed memories inspire. 

N. B. Will the person receiving this, if not eligible to membership, kindly place it with a descendant, 
and in any case, send me names of descendants from among his acquaintances? 

Sincerely, 

L. L. TAKBELL, 
Kegisteae S. a. E. 
P. O. address. Custom House, Boston, 
Boston, May 1, 1889. or Marlboro, Jl/oss. 



iZl^'^^^^^^BSS 




° 0^1 710 487 



